Search
Search results
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated Forbidden City in Books
Mar 2, 2022 (Updated Mar 2, 2022)
Spying and Chess
While on a recent mission, Paris discovered some bonus intel, and that turns out to be a valuable find. It leads MI6 to believe that the evil organization Umbra is going to kidnap one of North Korea’s nuclear scientists. If MI6 wants to get him to defect first, they need to find a way to approach him. Given North Korea’s secrecy and security, that won’t be easy. However, the scientist’s son is a top chess player, and he is planning to enter a couple of international tournaments. So Paris tries to upgrade his own chess skills so he can join the tournaments. Will Paris and the rest of the team be able to make contact with the scientist? Is he even interested in defecting?
Having enjoyed the first two in this series, I was looking forward to this book, and I wasn’t disappointed. This book is Paris’s time to shine, but all the other characters get their own smaller moments, and I continue to love their relationships. We get some surprising advancement on one series plot thread, although others are only mentioned in passing. I do feel like the other books in the series had a bit more action, but with all the angles the teams uses to approach their mission, I was never bored. We get a few laughs along the way, and even when we aren’t laughing, it’s just fun to be around the characters. Fans will enjoy this latest book. I’m already looking forward to their next mission.
Having enjoyed the first two in this series, I was looking forward to this book, and I wasn’t disappointed. This book is Paris’s time to shine, but all the other characters get their own smaller moments, and I continue to love their relationships. We get some surprising advancement on one series plot thread, although others are only mentioned in passing. I do feel like the other books in the series had a bit more action, but with all the angles the teams uses to approach their mission, I was never bored. We get a few laughs along the way, and even when we aren’t laughing, it’s just fun to be around the characters. Fans will enjoy this latest book. I’m already looking forward to their next mission.
Merissa (13358 KP) rated Frozen Flowers Fallen (Gen-Heirs World: Bella and the Beast Master) in Books
Jan 11, 2023
An intense, slow-burn romance with a dash of suspense that is absolutely brilliant!
FROZEN FLOWERS FALLEN is the first book in the Gen-Heirs World: Bella and the Beast Master series. It's a quick read that takes you back to Sziveria where Gen-talents are held so highly.
Now, I'm warning you now, I have loved The Guardians of Sziveria series so this review is probably biased! What can I say? You've already seen it's got 5-stars!
Bella is a clerk with no apparent Gen-talent, thus making her invisible and beneath notice to some of the Guardians around. However, Bella has a brain and isn't afraid to use it - so long as it doesn't put her in the spotlight. When Markus shows up, he is intrigued by this clerk who has put together more of a case than the Guardians he is supposed to be working with.
What follows is an intense, slow-burn romance with a dash of suspense, with the main two characters jumping off the page but fully supported by the other characters. The ending is superb but will definitely leave you wanting more.
I honestly can't wait to continue this series. What an absolutely cracking start! I need more of Bella, Markus, and Lunah in my life. HIGHLY recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Now, I'm warning you now, I have loved The Guardians of Sziveria series so this review is probably biased! What can I say? You've already seen it's got 5-stars!
Bella is a clerk with no apparent Gen-talent, thus making her invisible and beneath notice to some of the Guardians around. However, Bella has a brain and isn't afraid to use it - so long as it doesn't put her in the spotlight. When Markus shows up, he is intrigued by this clerk who has put together more of a case than the Guardians he is supposed to be working with.
What follows is an intense, slow-burn romance with a dash of suspense, with the main two characters jumping off the page but fully supported by the other characters. The ending is superb but will definitely leave you wanting more.
I honestly can't wait to continue this series. What an absolutely cracking start! I need more of Bella, Markus, and Lunah in my life. HIGHLY recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Merissa (13358 KP) rated The Eternal Series - Box Set Books 1 to 4 in Books
Jul 9, 2021 (Updated Jul 17, 2023)
THE ETERNAL SERIES: Books 1-4 not only gives you the four main stories, but two added extra shorts. The first one tells the origin story of Sammael/Alaric and the second is Kaitlyn and Raif's story.
The premise of this series is a really good one, but I'm afraid the constant time- and head-hopping made the writing style difficult for me to get into. There were also numerous spelling mistakes that jolted me out of the story. There were also a multitude of euphemisms used, eg. middle leg, and flag pole. I'll leave it to you to figure out what was being spoken about. And if I had a euro for every time "Rock, meet hard place," was mentioned, I'd be rich.
I enjoyed most of the characters and their individual stories. I also enjoyed seeing how their relationships continued in the following stories. The only one I really didn't like was Alex. He annoyed me from the beginning and nothing he did changed my mind.
I'm sure there are plenty of stories left in this series and I certainly wouldn't mind continuing with the story. Each book is long enough to sink your teeth into with plenty of intense steamy scenes too.
Great stories and overall story arc, recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jul 9, 2021
The premise of this series is a really good one, but I'm afraid the constant time- and head-hopping made the writing style difficult for me to get into. There were also numerous spelling mistakes that jolted me out of the story. There were also a multitude of euphemisms used, eg. middle leg, and flag pole. I'll leave it to you to figure out what was being spoken about. And if I had a euro for every time "Rock, meet hard place," was mentioned, I'd be rich.
I enjoyed most of the characters and their individual stories. I also enjoyed seeing how their relationships continued in the following stories. The only one I really didn't like was Alex. He annoyed me from the beginning and nothing he did changed my mind.
I'm sure there are plenty of stories left in this series and I certainly wouldn't mind continuing with the story. Each book is long enough to sink your teeth into with plenty of intense steamy scenes too.
Great stories and overall story arc, recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jul 9, 2021
ClareR (5991 KP) rated Locke & Key, Vol. 1: Welcome to Lovecraft in Books
Apr 11, 2018
I keep telling myself not to get involved with another comic series. This book (and the next in the series) is the result of taking my children to the library to while away a wet day during the Easter holiday. I thoroughly enjoyed it, too. It dives straight in to the action from page one. Bits are rather blood thirsty, and it does bend reality (he's his fathers son, and probably fed up with being compared to him as well, but there it is!). It's all about keys and somebody, who isn't particularly nice, wanting to get their hands on them. I don't want to say anything else! All I will say, is that it's well worth giving it a chance.
Marqees (17 KP) rated The Lightning Thief in Books
Jan 20, 2018
If you are looking for something Harry Potter like but more swords and fighting the Percy Jackson series is for you. Percy is a 12 year old who discovers his true lineage as the son of a Greek god. He is then thrust into the world of heroes and monsters. Percy can be very whiny at times but fellow heroes Annabeth and Grover balance him out with wit and humor. Although it is a YA title there is violence that includes death so if you might not want to read it to small children. All in all, it is a great book and better series give it go.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated Puzzled Indemnity (Puzzle Lady #16) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Becky’s latest client is worried that her husband is having an affair and plotting to kill her, so Becky hires Cora to learn if the client has reason to be worried. When Cora confirms the affair, the client hesitates long enough for things to really explode.
Series fans will love this latest case for Cora and company. The banter and word play is present, but it advances a story that has some nice twists and surprises. The characters could be better developed, but that’s long been an issue with the series. It’s a fun fast read, and that’s exactly what it sets out to be.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/03/book-review-puzzled-indemnity-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Series fans will love this latest case for Cora and company. The banter and word play is present, but it advances a story that has some nice twists and surprises. The characters could be better developed, but that’s long been an issue with the series. It’s a fun fast read, and that’s exactly what it sets out to be.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/03/book-review-puzzled-indemnity-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Shooting at Loons (Deborah Knott Mysteries, #3) in Books
Feb 13, 2018
I didn't enjoy this novel as much as some of the others in the Deborah Knott series... not sure if it's because I didn't sit down and just read it in one or two sittings as I do with most of Maron's novels, or what. Perhaps, as a result, the plot seemed a bit convoluted at times. Overall, though, it was still a fun read and I did wind up reading the last half or so of the book in one sitting. I thought I had it all figured out, but wound up fairly pleasantly surprised. I'm enjoying this series and will continue to pace myself so I don't read all 14 or so novels in "one fell swoop" (to sound quite Deborah-like).
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Siege and Storm in Books
Feb 19, 2018
This continuation of the story started in Shadow and Bone has Alina running from the Darkling, the Apparat, and at times even trying to run from her own power and the person she is becoming. I thought the author did a good job keeping the dynamics between the characters from getting stale while still keeping them believable. Whenever there is a romance (especially, it seems, in YA), there has to be some type of conflict to keep it interesting if it is going to span a series. Here there is conflict both within Alina’s inner circle and from without, which keeps it interesting and keeps the story flying along at a fast pace. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series!
Jcadden76 (64 KP) rated Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007) in Movies
Jun 19, 2018
We lose a good character but the plot rockets forward.
Order of the Phoenix is almost the Empire Strikes Back of the Harry Potter series. You don't end with a whole lot of good feels at the end of this movie. The lot does really take off and you stay on the edge of your seat for the better part of the film.
This might have the best pacing of the entire series. The ups and downs the good vibes and the bad fall at just the right time. To me this is the movie that had to be made because it is the "book" but there is not a whole lot of upside in this one - except for some tremendous acting all the way around.
This might have the best pacing of the entire series. The ups and downs the good vibes and the bad fall at just the right time. To me this is the movie that had to be made because it is the "book" but there is not a whole lot of upside in this one - except for some tremendous acting all the way around.
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated Inferno (The Campbells #1) in Books
Jul 12, 2018
I received this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review.
I was scrolling through NetGalley looking for something quick and easy to read which brought me to Inferno. The cover is really well done and the rest of the artwork is just as good. The storyline was cute and kept my attention as well. Parts of the story even tugged on my heart strings.
I wish there was more to this book though. The ending left me wanting more and more so I really hope that there is a next in the series.
All in all, this was a cute graphic novel that was able to tug on my heart strings. I will definitely continue on in this series when available.
I was scrolling through NetGalley looking for something quick and easy to read which brought me to Inferno. The cover is really well done and the rest of the artwork is just as good. The storyline was cute and kept my attention as well. Parts of the story even tugged on my heart strings.
I wish there was more to this book though. The ending left me wanting more and more so I really hope that there is a next in the series.
All in all, this was a cute graphic novel that was able to tug on my heart strings. I will definitely continue on in this series when available.